- Title: Thousands protest against Pinera government in Santiago
- Date: 21st October 2019
- Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (OCTOBER 21, 2019) (REUTERS) TOP VIEW OF CROWD, WATER CANON COMES INTO VIEW, DOUSES PROTESTERS VARIOUS OF TOP VIEWS OF PROTESTERS THROWING ROCKS AT WATER CANON AS THEY GET DOUSED VARIOUS OF TOP VIEWS OF PROTESTERS THROWING TEAR GAS CANISTER AT POLICE DARK SMOKE RISING FROM STREET VARIOUS OF TOP VIEWS OF WATER CANON DOUSING PROTESTERS
- Embargoed: 4th November 2019 20:36
- Keywords: Chile crisis protests price hikes transportation clashes looting
- Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE
- City: SANTIAGO, CHILE
- Country: Chile
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA001B21KV9J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: LIVE U QUALITY. PLEASE MONITOR FOR FULL QUALITY UPDATES
Thousands of Chileans poured into Santiago's central squares Monday (October 21) to protest high living costs after a weekend of looting, arson and clashes with security forces that killed 11 people and prompted President Sebastian Pinera to declare the country "at war" with vandals.
Buses and metro networks were partially restored for people to return to work but many opted instead to join the biggest demonstrations in years in what is normally one of Latin America's most stable countries.
The crisis was sparked by protests over a hike in public transport fares but reflects simmering anger over intense economic inequality in Chile, as well as costly health, education and pension systems seen by many as inadequate.
Banging drums and pans, blowing whistles and many waving signs calling for Pinera´s ouster, the largely youthful and peaceful crowd filled Santiago's Plaza Italia and overflowed into surrounding streets, watched from the sidelines by soldiers and police and hovered over by helicopters.
"Pinera, listen! Go to hell!" the crowds chanted.
A fresh curfew was announced by Javier Iturriaga, the general in charge of Santiago's security, to run from 8 p.m. on Monday until 6 a.m. on Tuesday in the city.
Several Chilean cities have been placed in a state of emergency, with control handed to the armed forces after looting, arson attacks and violent clashes began on Friday.
(Production: Jorge Vega, Esteban Medel, Guillermo Garcia) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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